Beautiful Curtis P-40 Warhawk and North American P-51 D Mustang
Dec 18, 2023 19:06:45 #
#1
This P-40 is done up in the colors and nose decorations of the planes that flew with the famous Flying Tigers in WW II. Prior to the U.S. entering the war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the Japanese forces were on a rampage in China, parts of India, and Burma. In an effort to aid the Chinese Govt., the U.S. sent planes and personnel to the area under the command of retired U. S. General Claire Chennault. All of the pilots in the effort were officially assigned to the American Volunteer Group ( AVG ) and they all were actually volunteers looking for excitement. Some were released from duties in a branch of the U.S. military, others came from varied walks of life. Most were chasing money. They were paid $500 for each enemy plane they shot down.
Most people with an interest in WW II aviation have heard of Greg " Pappy " Boyington, who flew the F4U Corsair with the Marines in the Pacific Theatre of operations. He gained notoriety as the leader of the famous Black Sheep Squadron. Prior to the fame he earned there, he had been a flyer with the Flying Tigers. When that group disbanded, he joined the Marines. He was shot down and was a prisoner of war until the war ended.
#2
I'm often asked what was the reason why broad black and white stripes were painted on American planes fighting in the European Theatre. You see those stripes on this beautiful P-51. They were painted there as a means of self preservation. All of the fighters and some other types of planes that were to be in the air when ( and shortly afterward ) the great D-Day Invasion of France occurring June 6, !944 had these on them. It was to make them easily identified as good-guy planes so itchy ground gunners didn't mistake them for being enemy aircraft. Simple as that.
,
This P-40 is done up in the colors and nose decorations of the planes that flew with the famous Flying Tigers in WW II. Prior to the U.S. entering the war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the Japanese forces were on a rampage in China, parts of India, and Burma. In an effort to aid the Chinese Govt., the U.S. sent planes and personnel to the area under the command of retired U. S. General Claire Chennault. All of the pilots in the effort were officially assigned to the American Volunteer Group ( AVG ) and they all were actually volunteers looking for excitement. Some were released from duties in a branch of the U.S. military, others came from varied walks of life. Most were chasing money. They were paid $500 for each enemy plane they shot down.
Most people with an interest in WW II aviation have heard of Greg " Pappy " Boyington, who flew the F4U Corsair with the Marines in the Pacific Theatre of operations. He gained notoriety as the leader of the famous Black Sheep Squadron. Prior to the fame he earned there, he had been a flyer with the Flying Tigers. When that group disbanded, he joined the Marines. He was shot down and was a prisoner of war until the war ended.
#2
I'm often asked what was the reason why broad black and white stripes were painted on American planes fighting in the European Theatre. You see those stripes on this beautiful P-51. They were painted there as a means of self preservation. All of the fighters and some other types of planes that were to be in the air when ( and shortly afterward ) the great D-Day Invasion of France occurring June 6, !944 had these on them. It was to make them easily identified as good-guy planes so itchy ground gunners didn't mistake them for being enemy aircraft. Simple as that.
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Dec 18, 2023 19:10:31 #
Good looking planes and images Tom. I may have some images of these planes, or ones like them, from when I shot the World War II Museum air show in New Orleans. I will have to look.
Don
Don
Dec 18, 2023 19:19:24 #
Dec 18, 2023 21:44:55 #
PAR4DCR wrote:
Good looking planes and images Tom. I may have some images of these planes, or ones like them, from when I shot the World War II Museum air show in New Orleans. I will have to look.
Don
Don
I've has 2 friends who spent time at that museum. They loved it. They went over there prepared to pay $300 each to go for a ride in that P-T boat they restored. Bummer though....the boat was having some maintenance performed and they couldn't go.
Dec 18, 2023 21:48:01 #
black mamba wrote:
#1 br br This P-40 is done up in the colors and n... (show quote)
P-47 mistaken for FW-190, Bf 109 for P-51 = planes with similar look from the ground to young inexperienced gunners or even some pilots. There were others with superficial looks.
Dec 18, 2023 22:05:43 #
Dec 19, 2023 08:06:56 #
black mamba wrote:
#1 br br This P-40 is done up in the colors and n... (show quote)
Fantastic set!!!! Tom
Dec 19, 2023 08:10:59 #
Dec 19, 2023 08:18:30 #
Dec 19, 2023 08:21:10 #
Dec 19, 2023 08:40:41 #
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Dec 19, 2023 08:51:06 #
Dec 19, 2023 09:46:26 #
Dec 19, 2023 09:52:56 #
robertjerl wrote:
P-47 mistaken for FW-190, Bf 109 for P-51 = planes with similar look from the ground to young inexperienced gunners or even some pilots. There were others with superficial looks.
Yeah, catching friendly fire was a real concern. If I were a pilot and involved during that period, I couldn't have gotten those stripes on my plane quick enough.
Thanks for the visit.
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